Leaders of Mediterranean regions shocked by terrorist attacks in France and Tunisia

Leaders of Mediterranean regions shocked by terrorist attacks in France and Tunisia

Michel Vauzelle, President of the Region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (FR) and President of the CPMR Inter-Mediterranean Commission, Rosario Crocetta, President of Sicily Region (IT) and Chair of the CPMR Task Force on Migration, George Alexakis, Regional Councillor of Crete (GR) and Vice-President of the CPMR, in addition to Susana Díaz, President of Andalusia (ES) and Apostolos Katsifaras, Regional Governor of Dytiki Ellada (Western Greece), have reacted jointly to the terrible terrorist attacks in France and Tunisia on 26 June.

“The horrific events occurring in Tunisia and France highlight the full meaning of the slogan ‘We are all Mediterranean’, standing together united against the same threat regardless of whether we live north or south of the Mediterranean,” stated the regional leaders and members of the Inter-Mediterranean Commission.

This statement falls within the ongoing awareness campaign ‘We are all Mediterranean’, which is based on the values of solidarity, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, socio-economic integration, active citizen participation and cooperation, the fight against racism, ethnocentrism and xenophobia. A public petition has been launched as part of the campaign.

The signatories call upon the European institutions to draw up a genuine Mediterranean Policy that takes into account the management of migration flows and addresses the challenges of the common destiny that unites the peoples of the Mediterranean. This policy must include the right to asylum, the joint fight against people smuggling networks, a resettlement scheme for migrants based on shared responsibility, sustainable management of reception centres, integration assistance, the fight against terrorism and the promotion of democratic values. It must contribute to peace, prosperity and cohesion in the Mediterranean.